None of us sees all of the ministry our congregation sources. Even those of us who are involved in a dozen different committees and small groups might say, “I had no idea we did that!” from time to time. The work of our Affiliated Community Ministers is one such powerful connection with the wider world that often goes unnoticed.

We’re familiar (perhaps) with the work of a parish minister. Rev. Randy serves our congregation by encouraging our spiritual development, leading worship, providing pastoral care, officiating rites of passage, and acting as lead administrator. They also represent the congregation’s commitment to justice at public events, and they serve the larger body of Unitarian Universalism in a variety of ways. They do not engage in this ministry alone, but depend on the collaboration of our congregation and others. This is the shared work of congregational ministry.

The UU Congregation of Cleveland is also blessed to serve two Affiliated Community Ministers. These people are ordained ministers serving outside of the congregation, providing Unitarian Universalist ministry to the broader community. By affiliating with our congregation, these ministers have identified us as a meaningful source of support and care as they serve people in other contexts. Occasionally, they provide some spiritual service to the congregation directly, but their call is to embody a Unitarian Universalist expression of faith in other spaces.

Our two Affiliated Community Ministers are Rev. Rina Shere, who serves as Mental Health Chaplain at the Veteran’s Administration, and Rev. Kristy Stuart, who serves as Palliative Care Chaplain at University Hospitals. As you might imagine, both of these roles are emotionally demanding, and their work is also shared ministry. Although we do not often bear witness to their ministry, Rev. Rina and Rev. Kristy serve as the hands and voice of our faith in the larger community, providing care in places that we otherwise would not reach.

As we consider the many ways we connect with the larger world and the many threads of interdependence that hold us in relationship with the wider community, may we continue to hold Rev. Kristy and Rev. Rina in care.

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